Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist July 2018 | Page 11

Both countries recently signed an agreement for
cooperation in the renewable energy sector. Could
you please elaborate on the specifi cs of this
agreement and what it means in terms of
enhancing the bilateral relationship?
This agreement was signed between the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy of the Republic of India
and the Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Republic
of Peru on Cooperation in New and Renewable Energy.
As per the agreement, both countries will work together
to promote bilateral technical cooperation in new
and renewable energy on the basis of mutual benefi t,
equality and reciprocity.
In this regard, India and Peru will set up a Joint
Committee to develop Work Plans to implement
the Agreement. Given that both of our countries are
founder members of the International Solar Alliance,
there is large room for cooperation in the areas of solar
and other renewable energy generation.
This agreement is just part of the process of
constructing a strong legal bilateral cooperation
framework which, to date, comprises 32 signed
agreements with at least 16 more in the process of
being negotiated.
These developments are representative of our
countries' commitment to enhance and intensify the
bilateral relationship across more areas of cooperation.
What are Peru’s plans for improving economic
ties with India? What is the status of the FTA that
was being discussed between the two countries?
Trade between India and Peru reached US$2.78
billion in 2017, up from US$1.57 billion in 2015.
India thus became Peru’s seventh largest trading
partner. Currently, we are in the process of negotiating
a comprehensive trade agreement covering goods,
services and investments. The third round of
negotiations for the same will be held in September
2018 in New Delhi. Both parties are working to
conclude the negotiations as soon as possible and to
start implementing the agreement so that our dynamic
trade relationship can be boosted further.
Peru also supports India's
entry as member into
the Asia-Pacifi c Economic
Cooperation (APEC), which can
possibly take place when the
moratorium on the admission
of new members is lifted.
Your Excellency, please tell us about the present
state of bilateral relations between India and
Peru?
India and Peru are two countries that share
important and varied historical, political, diplomatic,
cultural, economic, and social ties which have formed
the foundation of a long and enduring friendship
between our two nations.
In the last few years, the bilateral relationship has
become stronger and more diverse as both sides have
deepened their cooperation across varied sectors,
particularly in the economic, cultural and energy
sectors. These have yielded positive results and is an
encouraging sign for both sides as we seek to further
tap into the as yet unrealised potential of this growing
bilateral relationship.
The year 2018 marks the 55th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Peru
and India. Earlier this year, the Vice President of India,
H.E. Shri Venkaiah Naidu, visited our country and
participated in the 55th anniversary celebrations held
in Lima. These gestures and events are indicative of
not only the enduring legacy of friendship and respect
that are the hallmarks of our bilateral relationship at
all levels, but also of the willingness to continue to
enhance them.
In India, the Embassy of Peru will soon publish a
book titled '55 Years of Diplomatic Relations between
Peru and India: Chronology of Main Events' to
commemorate this special landmark. Later this year,
in October, the Embassy is organizing an exhibition
titled 'Peru's Fabulous Treasures', in collaboration with
the National Museum, New Delhi.
In addition to this, there are also other agreements in
negotiation regarding cooperation in customs, sanitary,
phytosanitary matters and a separate agreement on
fi sheries-related sanitary issues.
Peru and India have also been engaging more
concretely in the international arena. How does
Peru see India's growing role as an emerging
power on the world stage?
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 7 • July 2018, Noida • 11